About workshops

Workshops on Neopoet are groups that meet for a certain period of time to focus on a certain aspect of poetry. Each workshop participant is asked to critique all the other poems submitted into a workshop. A workshop leader helps coordinate -- they set the agenda, give participants feedback on whether their submissions and critique are at they level expected of them, and after the workshop is over, give feedback to participants. 

To join a workshop, first find one that is of interest to you. Once you have found the right workshop (and verified that it is open -- you can find this out in the description below), you can apply to join the workshop.


Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Critique review basics

Status: 
Program description/goal: 

Description: A review of technique actual critique of poem submissions discussion of critiques( in workshop)

Leader: C Lynn Brooks
Geezer

Objectives: to improve techniques of critiquing

Level of expertise: Open to all

Subject matter:

Length: 
21 days
Number of participants (limit): 
20 people
Skill level: 
Date: 
Friday, September 11, 2020 to Friday, October 2, 2020

Comments

I have 20 people listed but all are welcome to join I won't turn anyone away

Chrys

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author comment

Hmmm...

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Raywhitakerblog.wordpress.com
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I will be happy to add you

Chrys

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author comment

count me in

ok

Chrys

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author comment

Hi, can you put me on the list?

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

have added you thanks for joining us

Chrys

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author comment

Far be it that I should tell anyone how to critique
however I can offer a few suggestions
1- critique do not criticize
2-check spelling I am one for misspelling of words
3- remember you may be proficient in your writing but there are those that are just getting started
4- abide by their requests example being "I want the raw truth" etc do not give a blow by blow critique if not asked for such as " take care this is a sensitive subject"
5-suggest do not demand , there are times when a person will refuse to take you up on your suggestions, so be it
I once had a person re write an entire poem of mine because they
did not like the wording this is not a critique as it were there was a copywrite on said poem
6- suppose you have a poem where there are no errors or suggestions what then? well tell them you liked their poem but also remark about the style, wording ,find a phrase or sentence that you were drawn to

7-if there are no errors or suggestion what then? well tell them gently then tell them why you did not care for their work point out either words or sentences or any uncomfortable feeling you may have had
8- remember this site is a workshop not a mutual admiration society ,no back slapping, atta boy we are here to help. improve etc

I welcome an open discussion about this ,suggestions , additions , etc this will be open for one week at which time either Gee or I will assign a poem for you to review
leave your comments on the poem then return here for further discussion on
how you felt about the pom
how you felt about leaving a comment

the group will also view your review and comment on it this will be done in the WORKSHOP and not the stream

If we run past the twenty one days that will be alright as well

Chrys

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author comment

Critique has somehow gotten a bad reputation. too many people think it can only be a negative comment on a poem (which it often is lol) but it can also be a positive thing. If you run up on a poem there is Nothing wrong with pointing out something specifically good that you might have found in it. Something that you maybe think is particularly beautiful and Why you think this is so.
In a previous shop we discussed something call a "sandwich" critique. this type starts with a first layer of praise for the poem. this shows the poet that you are taking his/her poem seriously. Next comes the middle or "meat" of the critique where you point out something that you think needs work. then the last layer where you once again point out something good or maybe leave with a phrase such as "I know you can redo this better than I ever could.
This sandwich type is especially useful with people new to writing or this site as it gently shows exactly where improvement is needed( this won't work on ME because I need improvement Everywhere lol) While also showing the writer that you have put thought into his/her poem....stan

First off remember we are a workshop siteand hopefully people will be receptive to a critique don't shy away for fear of offending someone in my opinion if they become offended then they really didn't want to hear anything except "OH WHAT A GREAT POEM YOU WROTE" even though it might need a lot of work
Just keep it in mind before you start your critique look at tghe intensity they have checked off , if none then treat it as raw truth you are going ti find that some folks will over use the "be gentle this has special meanin g" just to avoid being reviewed harshly
if you follow them you will find all of their poems are sensitive
they are not serious about their work either

there is a diplomatic way of saying anything in a critique

Chrys

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author comment

and that right there is why we are here isn't it
you will be getting the links to poems we(gee and I) would like you to review as per the current conversation you will go ahead and post your comments to the author but here on the workshop link we will discuss the poem and your review of it
good luck darlin either I or Gee will send the links right here in the workshop be sure to ck the box that asks if it is a workshop critique

Chrys

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author comment

I guess that I have nothing to add; Chrys and Teddy have said it all. The only thing I will say, is that I hope this workshop will be useful to you all. ~ Geezer.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

here you are try this one remember what we have discussed
live shrey a comment then come back here make sure you ck the box that says workshop critique

https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/she-doesnt-recognize-me

Chrys

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that was perfect now how did you feel about putting yourself out there? Did it make you uncomfortable
I must admit I was the first one to critique him on his very first poem I went line by line blow by blow
he is one ot those that post yet does no respond hang on I guess I must apologize for giving you a problem but as I see it you came through with flying colors will give you another in a minute

Chrys

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author comment

I wouldn't worry about it , people post their work so it is there for a review /help/etc
remember this is a workshop not a just another place to get a pat on the back

Chrys

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author comment

here ya go try this one https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/getting-my-undesirable-visitor-ot...
we know and love Jerry's poetry so this one may get a bit more difficult because he is a friend ok forget the friend and look at the poem for what it is do not let your feelings get in the way
good like darlin

Chrys

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there is no reason to feel this way no one is greater than the other. we all have different styles of writing
a smart man(Lon) once told me we are eaual the exception is we have different styles of writing, this was in answer to me saying he writes so much better than I
I gave you that last poem because I just knew you would feel the way you do and wanted tyo see how you handled it

Chrys

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author comment

next up https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/winter-morn-epitaph
we have to get you through that feeling of intimidation Alan is excellent
don't hold back because he is outstanding
you won't find error so find something else
a line or a word you can pull from his work that struck you
your review of Jerry's poem wasn't to bad I would have expected to see more in the way of as I have stated above
pull something out of the poem that struck you and elaborate on that
give Alan's a shot and see where it goes I have not been posting or doing any reviews trying not to use my hand to much

Chrys

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author comment

that is the idea you do not have to harsh to be a good reviewer, in fact more people are more receptive to a gentle review just be complete and concise you up for another one ?

Chrys

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author comment

https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/dirge-undulating-hill-tribute-rob...

give this one a try he is a very complicated writer in that there is a difference in language
dilect wording etc

Chrys

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author comment

nice job on that review
now then
let's see what I can find for you to hone your skills on
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/poems/lunar-linings

I just read it and find it masked by fancy writing where is the meaning what is the meaning perhaps you will find something in it

Chrys

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author comment

this one to be very interesting and felt the same as Teddy about it. I missed the reference to the moon and would change my opinion to match Teddy's; that it might be about a werewolf, rather than a vampire. Nice review Teddy. ~ Geez.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

why did you find it difficult

I for one did not like itI felt it was too obscure in it's language and very difficult to get the concept

Chrys

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author comment

Chrys

check out our chat room open to all 24/7

author comment

have read all I am going to let Gee take the reins for a few days

Chrys

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author comment

love to see some reviews by the others that are supposed to be particpating in this workshop. Chrys says to keep you busy. I will find a couple of poems for you to critique. I will post a title for you tonight. ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Take the next couple of days and find a poem by Esker, or even one of his comments in reply to critique or comment.
[He wrote many replies to critique and comment as another poem]. Take your time and tell me what you think of it. Give the opinion as though you were reading a poem by him. Try not to let the comments by others to influence you and say what YOU think. ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

I understand. How about you choose to critique someone on your own? Give an in depth review of anyone you wish. Perhaps me; as I am here to answer to your review? Choose anything you like and I will be happy to answer any questions about why I wrote what I did. Be brave and ask anything and challenge me. You won't be disappointed. ~Gee.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Hi Geez, I've finally arrived here and read all the comments and suggestions. You may give me a poem to critique, I may not do it at once, but I'm happy to join in.
Best, Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

I am here and looking over my old stuff, I thought that maybe you would like to critique this old one for me and I can tell you exactly why I wrote what I did after you do. The name of the poem is [In Sight]. Sorry I don't have an URL for it, but you can find it on the fifth page of my works about halfway down. Take your time, ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

No, I don't mind at all. as a matter of fact, I'm glad that you want to give me a good critique on this one, it is old, but one that I have not had many comments on, I will look over the critique and edit in the morning. Thanks again, ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

OK, Gee, I'll look for it now.

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

Please note this workshop has been completed for some time now

Chrys

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author comment
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